Mr Burton is a biographical drama that concentrates on the early life of Welsh actor Richard Burton. Source: Australian Catholics.
The film is written by Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams. In the movie, Harry Lawtey takes the role of young school boy, Richard Jenkins, who hailed from the Welsh town of Port Talbot.
Richard was raised during wartime in a struggling family with an alcoholic father. He excelled in drama and his talent quickly caught the watchful eye of his English teacher, Phillip Henry Burton (Toby Jones), who mentored him to greatness.
Although ostensibly about Richard Burton’s early years, the movie focuses on his teacher, Philip Henry Burton, who encouraged young Richard to become the acting legend who is so well known by movie and theatre audiences today.
Richard Jenkins changed his name to Burton to intentionally facilitate his teacher’s sponsorship of an Oxford scholarship for him.
The film engrossingly canvasses the mentorship of a teacher who was himself a frustrated actor.
The wartime period of the movie is conveyed well by the film’s location, sets, acting, costuming and cinematography. The movie is powered to greatness by the performance of Toby Jones.
Mr Burton: Starring Harry Lawtey, Toby Jones, Lesley Manville and Aneurin Bernard. Directed by Marc Evans. Rated M (Mature themes and coarse language). 124 min.
FULL REVIEW
Mr Burton (Australian Catholics)
